Suns swing changes for huge Lions test
Shayne Hope |
Gold Coast have regained key defender Sam Collins among five changes for the massive Q-Clash against the Brisbane Lions as Damien Hardwick seeks a much-needed response from his side.
The Suns, thrashed by Adelaide last week, will be without star pair Touk Miller and Daniel Rioli but will welcome back vice-captain Collins and Lachie Weller from injuries.
Alex Davies, Jy Farrar and Nick Holman also return, with Rioli and Sam Clohesy out injured, and David Swallow, Jed Walter and Ben Jepson dropped.
On a four-match winning streak, second-placed Brisbane are within two competition points of ladder leaders Collingwood and have regained in-form forward Zac Bailey after a one-match suspension.
Gold Coast have lost their last three meetings with the Lions and will likely drop out of the top eight if they fall to their Queensland rivals again at People First Stadium.
“What we have to do is win games, and that’s our challenge,” Suns coach Hardwick said.
“We’re still in the race for something we’ve never achieved.
“As a coaching group and a playing group we’ve got a big step this week.
“We’ve got to take care of this step and then we’ll take the next one next week.”
Port Adelaide have regained skipper Connor Rozee for coach Ken Hinkley’s final Showdown against red-hot Adelaide, who are unchanged as they charge towards the finals.
Fellow hopefuls Fremantle called up Isaiah Dudley and Neil Erasmus for Saturday’s derby against West Coast, but captain Alex Pearce (shin) is still unavailable.
Matt Johnson and Corey Wagner are out injured, while the Eagles have recalled talented youngster Elijah Hewett after he was rested last week.
Geelong named Tom Stewart in an unchanged side for their clash with North Melbourne on Saturday night, despite the star utility being subbed out last week with knee soreness.
The Kangaroos are still without Nick Larkey (knee) and George Wardlaw, who returned from concussion in the VFL last week.
Zane Duursma was among three inclusions for North, with Callum Coleman-Jones (calf) out after his comeback lasted just 15 minutes.
There is doubt over key Richmond midfielder Tim Taranto’s availability for Sunday’s clash with Collingwood because of calf soreness.
Taranto was named in an extended squad alongside Noah Balta, who is back for the first time in a fortnight after completing his court-imposed curfew.
Tim Membrey, Tom Mitchell and Dan Houston were all named in an extended squad for the Magpies, but Jordan De Goey hasn’t yet been cleared to return.
Melbourne named Tom Sparrow to return in Sunday’s clash with St Kilda after he sat out one match through concussion protocols after high contact from North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri.
AAP
